Jets at the Worlds - Quarterfinals

Three members of the Winnipeg Jets are participating in the 2023 IIHF World Hockey Championship, which is being hosted in Tampere, Finland and Riga, Latvia.

But that number dwindled down to two as the quarterfinal round began on Thursday. With Nikolaj Ehlers and Denmark coming up short of making the quarterfinal round despite Ehlers' nine points in seven games, that left just Dylan Samberg (USA) and Nino Niederreiter of Switzerland in action.

USA 3, CZECHIA 0

The USA continued all the momentum from their seven preliminary round victories right into the quarterfinal, as they blanked Czechia 3-0 to advance to Saturday's semi-final.

The Americans had one goal in each period, beginning with Matt Coronato in the first, Samberg's defence partner Nick Perbix in the second, and Cutter Gauthier in the third.

It was another solid defensive outing for Samberg and the USA, who have allowed just eight goals in the eight games they've played at this month's tournament.

While Samberg didn't have any points in the win - after he scored the overtime winner in the team's preliminary round finale against Sweden on Tuesday - he played 21:20 (the second most ice time on the team) and had three shots on goal.

Casey DeSmith made 15 saves for the shutout.

The USA will now play Germany in the semi-final.

SWITZERLAND 1, GERMANY 3

The Swiss steamrolled through the preliminary round, going 6-0-0-0 before dropping their final game of the round robin to Latvia in overtime. They sat a number of regulars in that game (including Nino Niederreiter), but they weren't able to get back to their winning ways on Thursday - and it cost them a chance at a medal.

With the game tied 1-1 late in the second, the Germans scored twice in 36 seconds to take a 3-1 lead. The first came from John Peterka at even strength, and that was followed up by a Nico Sturm shorthanded marker.

The Swiss outshot Germany 9-4 in the third, but weren't able to get any more pucks by German goaltender Mathias Niederberger.

Niederreiter was held off the scoresheet in the game, but had 20:07 of ice time and one shot on goal.

He finishes this edition of the IIHF World Hockey Championship with four goals and five points in seven games.